In any case, everything is gathered across the Channel to light a big fireworks display. More than 500,000 tickets have already been sold, i.e. already more than double the total (yet already a record) reached at the event in 2017. The stadiums where the “Lionesses” (the Lionesses, nickname of the footballers of the English national team) are sold out, the English fans are ready to put on liters of Guinness and imagine only one way out of the competition for Lucy Bronze, Ellen White and their teammates: the title. The English Federation did not skimp on the means by entrusting the reins of the team to Sarina Wiegmanthe Dutch coach who won the title in 2017.
Ada Hegerberg, the first Ballon d’Or winner in 2018, has made her return to the Norwegian team after years of conflict with her federation. After recovering “their” Champions League, the French players of the ogre Lyonnais still present in the jersey of the Blue hope to take France to a first title despite a complicated period internally after the World Cup. In the absence of star players, not selected, the hopes rest in particular on the shoulders of the nugget Marie-Antoinette Katoto who hopes to pile up the goals to celebrate her extension to PSG (making her one of the highest paid footballers in the world).
Quietly, the Sweden of the eternal Caroline Seger (more than 200 selections), silver in Tokyo, is more than riding the wave of success: it is the best ranked European country in the FIFA ranking, from the top of its second place behind the USA, and is therefore advancing as real contender for the title.
The small downside comes from Spain: two days ago, La Roja seemed capable of overturning everything in its path, led by the best player of recent seasons, Alexia Putellas (Golden Ball 2021). But the one who was to be one of the big stars of the tournament became the first big package, loose left knee on the eve of the start of the tournament. Without its queen, Spain probably drops a few ranks in the hierarchy of favorites even if many other Barça players still make up the backbone of the team.
And then how not to mention the Netherlands, who hope to renew their title, despite the last more delicate months and a change of generation. The serial goalscorer Vivianne Miedema is still there, just like Lieke Martens, best player of the Euro 5 years ago and passed by… Standard. Who knows if Italy, often placed, never winner, could not create the surprise while Germany, somewhat back in line after eight European titles (out of the first 12 editions of the Euro) remains in ambush with a rejuvenated and ambitious formation.
